Jurors this week in the Orlando, Florida murder trial of Casey Anthony watched several hours of video portraying the jail visits between Anthony and her family. Casey was stone faced and emotionless in the courtroom most of the time, however, the videos show a different volatile side of the single mother accused of murder in the death of her two-year-old daughter, Caylee Anthony.
"I am the victim here" Casey insists during a visit with Cindy and George Anthony
One of the recordings showed a tearful and distraught Cindy Anthony, accompanied by George Anthony, begging their daughter Casey for answers concerning Caylee's whereabouts. Casey becomes defensive and angry, she clutches the phone and grits her teeth. She bitterly reminds her parents that she is in jail, and has no way to help find Caylee. Cindy asks if she has recalled anything at all that may help in their search for Caylee. Casey reiterates that she has been in jail for a month, and has done all she can. She declares herself as much of a victim of this situation as little Caylee, and expresses anger at her mother's questioning and demands to speak to George. Cindy is crying throughout the majority of these visits.
Lee Anthony asks Casey who can be trusted in her circle of friends
During another taped visit, Lee Anthony, Casey's older brother, asks Casey a prepared list of questions that he has brought to the visit. Some of the questions involve defense attorney Jose Baez and whether Casey would like to hire a different attorney to represent her. Casey says that she wants to keep Baez, and Lee moves on to a list of contacts from Casey's phone.
The list includes the three men Casey was dating at the time of her arrest, the friends that she had recently stolen from and her parents. Casey answers that most of her friends are not to be trusted.
Forensic evidence is introduced
The prosecution called many forensic witnesses this week. The collection, transportation and storage of evidence found in Casey's car was discussed at length.
The collection of hairs, including a post-mortem hair belonging to Caylee Anthony, and the analysis and transportation of the hairs from the car's trunk to the lab was explained to the jury by an investigator from the Orange County sheriff's office.
CSI investigator, Gerardo Bloise, who was the lead investigator on the Caylee Anthony case, stated that in his professional opinion, Casey's car smelled of human decomposition. He was asked to show and explain the evidence to the jury, and concluded his testimony by stating that he was confident that Caylee's remains were at some time allowed to decompose in the trunk of the car.
Photographs of the contents of the car were reviewed and examined by Bloise, at length.
Earlier in the week, detectives who investigated the case and the deputies who responded to Cindy Anthony's distress call, testified that Casey Anthony had lied to them in statements given, mislead them on Caylee's whereabouts and that Casey obstructed justice in the investigation.
The trial will resume on Monday and is expected to last at least six more weeks.
Sources:
- Florida V. Casey Marie Anthony; Live trial coverage on HLN News 06/02/2011-06/04/2011 8am-5pm Eastern
Brandi Williams - I have been married for ten years, we have two sons and one dog. I grew up on a farm in rural Oklahoma, 45 miles from my current home. I ...
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